Shadow of the Unicorn

Chapter 7

The servant led Jace deep into the castle, wherein the Lady kept her formal audience chamber, but they bypassed that particular room and entered a smaller room off to one side, wherein the Lady sat before a dying fire with a cup of tea in her lap. She smiled warmly when Jace bowed himself in and the servant vanished, closing the door as he left, leaving the boy alone to face his doom, or whatever this was. She motioned for him to seat himself in the opposing chair and help himself to some tea, had he the desire. He was far too nervous to even think about tea and would rather pace than sit, but he dared not refuse her entirely.

Said she at last, a trace of amusement tingeing her voice as he finally seated himself like a condemned man before his judge, "I suppose you are wondering why I have summoned you?" He nodded minutely and she continued, "you have quite a reputation young man, the reports I hear of your performance are remarkable, nay astonishing. We have not seen your like in two centuries." She pierced him with her hawk-like gaze, "yet I also hear you are something of a heretic."

He was on his feet in a moment, his fear forgotten, ready to defy the Lady of Astoria to her face. She smiled amusedly as horror registered on his face and he sat suddenly, quite contrite, mumbling his apologies. Her warm laugh was the last sound he expected to hear. He looked up in astonishment into eyes warm, deep, and knowing, feeling that she could see into his very soul and understanding anew why Kings trembled in her presence. Said she, "there is fire in you lad, just like your mother and sister." Her smile deepened at his shock, she continued, "I know most of what passes within the walls of my Keep." She sobered, "now why won't you use your exceptional skills in the Master's service?"

He stared at her incredulously, forgetting that it was rude, said he agape, "I have no use for your mythical Master. I am content in and of myself, I need no one else."

She smiled sadly, nodded, and said, "then there is nothing else we need discuss, save that I am very sorry for you, that is unless you have anything you would ask of me?" He shook his head adamantly, made his bows, and literally flew from her presence. She stared into the fire and sipped her tea, wondering what would come of such a remarkable young man if he continued to stubbornly refuse that which was asked of him. She shuddered to think what that might be. He had not been so blessed with skill, wisdom, and strength of character to live solely for himself, and she pitied him in his discovery of that fact, and prayed that he had the wisdom to see the light and embrace it when that fateful day finally came.

The weeks passed slowly for the little company, but finally the pivotal day of the Oathtaking came: the day that would utterly change everything, and not for the better, thought Jace bitterly. Adan made his preparations and vanished for the ceremony. Briane was inconsolable and would not leave her room; Ella condoled with her and refused to admit anyone else, leaving Jace and Jay to fend for themselves. The only solace in all of it was that he and Ella were all but engaged, but that was of little consolation when Jace felt as if his heart was about to fall to pieces. Curse the Master for deceiving and stealing his best friend and breaking his sister's heart! He was too distraught to consider the irony of cursing a being in which he did not believe.

He turned to Jay and growled, "I can't stay here any longer. I need to get away from Astoria until all this is over, for better or worse. Come with me; bring your sword."

Jay nodded silently, concern and unasked questions in his eyes, but he followed Jace's lead and soon found himself riding out of the city, practice sword strapped to his hip. They rode without a word to the edge of the forest and left the horses, heading towards the gorge with all haste. Jace drew his sword and climbed up on the great bole of the fallen giant that spanned the ravine, calling recklessly to his friend, "come, let us try our hand at a little sparring!"